I wouldn't mind having a high second round pick, as usually that's where you get great value. There's always a handful of guys who thought they were going to be first rounders and for whatever reason they fall. Here is my early opinions on who they may be:

Janoris Jenkins- Dood has talent, but the character concerns are going to push him down the board. There are teams that are willing to take a guy with issues, but getting kicked out of Florida is more than just having a positive test for marijuana at the combine.

Peter Konz- Center is a very undervalued position, specifically in the first round. In the last two years we've seen the Pouncey brothers get drafted in stanza 1, but that doesn't mean there is a sea change coming for the position. Considering this is an area of need for the Lions, IMO, they shouldn't let him pass them at 23.

Dwayne Allen- The TE position is becoming more and more important in today's NFL. Look at the impact guys like Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski have had on their teams offense. Allen isn't in that league, but he's a decent in-line blocker and has the athleticism to line up in the slot and cause mismatch problems for the D. He may get nabbed in the first round by a contender looking to add a different type of threat in their passing game as the depth at the position is somewhat thin this year.

Zach Brown- This is going to depend on what he runs at the combine. He has speed, but what kind will determine if he's worth a mid to late first round pick. I've hear the hokey reports of a 4.35 or whatever, but he'll probably run in the mid 4.5's to 4.6 range. A bit undersized, but a true outside LB.

Dontari Poe- Massive, massive man who could go in the first round as there aren't many guys who weigh 350 lbs who can play with athleticism. With the proliferation of teams running the 3-4, a giant 0 man could bump his stock. He may fall victim to a Terrence Cody type of grade because of his size.

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February 1st, 2012, 10:11 am

kdsberman

Team MVP

Joined: February 20th, 2007, 10:51 pmPosts: 3422Location: Saginaw, MI

Re: Lions Team Needs

Wayne Fontes wrote:

I wouldn't mind having a high second round pick, as usually that's where you get great value. There's always a handful of guys who thought they were going to be first rounders and for whatever reason they fall. Here is my early opinions on who they may be:

Janoris Jenkins- Dood has talent, but the character concerns are going to push him down the board. There are teams that are willing to take a guy with issues, but getting kicked out of Florida is more than just having a positive test for marijuana at the combine.

Peter Konz- Center is a very undervalued position, specifically in the first round. In the last two years we've seen the Pouncey brothers get drafted in stanza 1, but that doesn't mean there is a sea change coming for the position. Considering this is an area of need for the Lions, IMO, they shouldn't let him pass them at 23.

Dwayne Allen- The TE position is becoming more and more important in today's NFL. Look at the impact guys like Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski have had on their teams offense. Allen isn't in that league, but he's a decent in-line blocker and has the athleticism to line up in the slot and cause mismatch problems for the D. He may get nabbed in the first round by a contender looking to add a different type of threat in their passing game as the depth at the position is somewhat thin this year.

Zach Brown- This is going to depend on what he runs at the combine. He has speed, but what kind will determine if he's worth a mid to late first round pick. I've hear the hokey reports of a 4.35 or whatever, but he'll probably run in the mid 4.5's to 4.6 range. A bit undersized, but a true outside LB.

Dontari Poe- Massive, massive man who could go in the first round as there aren't many guys who weigh 350 lbs who can play with athleticism. With the proliferation of teams running the 3-4, a giant 0 man could bump his stock. He may fall victim to a Terrence Cody type of grade because of his size.

I agree with everyone u mentioned except Jenkins. I have a feeling he will go top 25 depending on his combine. I think Konz could remain first round too, actually hoping the lions would take him. But I especially agree with u about zack brown.

Earlier in the year I was on the Zach Brown train, since I can't stand DeAndre Levy. I think he's our worst linebacker, and is best suited to be a backup. Whether or not Brown can beat him out is more my concern.

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February 2nd, 2012, 10:48 am

Wayne Fontes

Color Commentator - John Madden

Joined: January 19th, 2007, 3:21 amPosts: 1919Location: A2

Re: Lions Team Needs

And I think you want to get a starter in the first round, if at all possible.

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February 2nd, 2012, 10:49 am

m2karateman

RIP Killer

Joined: October 20th, 2004, 4:16 pmPosts: 10066Location: Where ever I'm at now

Re: Lions Team Needs

Wayne Fontes wrote:

I wouldn't mind having a high second round pick, as usually that's where you get great value. There's always a handful of guys who thought they were going to be first rounders and for whatever reason they fall. Here is my early opinions on who they may be:

Janoris Jenkins- Dood has talent, but the character concerns are going to push him down the board. There are teams that are willing to take a guy with issues, but getting kicked out of Florida is more than just having a positive test for marijuana at the combine.

Jenkins would have been EASILY a top ten pick had he not had his off-field issues. However, all reports have said that he was humble and contrite at the Senior Bowl practices and interviews. A number of teams spoke with him and came away impressed by his change in demeanor and his willingness to accept fault and field some difficult questions about his character. His on field ability and his attitude shift will garner him a top 20 pick, in all likelihood. No way he falls out of the first round, IMHO.

Wayne Fontes wrote:

Peter Konz- Center is a very undervalued position, specifically in the first round. In the last two years we've seen the Pouncey brothers get drafted in stanza 1, but that doesn't mean there is a sea change coming for the position. Considering this is an area of need for the Lions, IMO, they shouldn't let him pass them at 23.

I think we've seen over the past few drafts that this position is not undervalued any longer, particularly when you have a top prospect available. Konz is considered by many to be equally as good as the Pouncey's, or Alex Mack. He can be used at center or guard, possibly even RT. I'd love to see the Lions get him at #23, but it's entirely possible he'll be gone as early as the #18 pick to San Diego.

Wayne Fontes wrote:

Dwayne Allen- The TE position is becoming more and more important in today's NFL. Look at the impact guys like Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski have had on their teams offense. Allen isn't in that league, but he's a decent in-line blocker and has the athleticism to line up in the slot and cause mismatch problems for the D. He may get nabbed in the first round by a contender looking to add a different type of threat in their passing game as the depth at the position is somewhat thin this year.

I respect your opinion, but our trio of TEs is already productive and I can't see the Lions burning a high round pick to take another one.

Wayne Fontes wrote:

Zach Brown- This is going to depend on what he runs at the combine. He has speed, but what kind will determine if he's worth a mid to late first round pick. I've hear the hokey reports of a 4.35 or whatever, but he'll probably run in the mid 4.5's to 4.6 range. A bit undersized, but a true outside LB.

I love the kids athletic ability, but he is Ernie Sims part 2. He doesn't play under control, gets caught looking into the backfield too often and doesn't handle shedding blockers well at all. I'd rather stick with Levy and hope he pulls his head outta his butt this coming season.

Wayne Fontes wrote:

Dontari Poe- Massive, massive man who could go in the first round as there aren't many guys who weigh 350 lbs who can play with athleticism. With the proliferation of teams running the 3-4, a giant 0 man could bump his stock. He may fall victim to a Terrence Cody type of grade because of his size.

My understanding is that a number of teams have Poe very high on their draft boards, as they see him as a possible Shaun Rogers type impact player. He'd be a terrific fit for a team like Pittsburgh or Houston as a nose tackle, but might also be picked up in the first round by a team like Denver or the Giants, who would like to have a big run stuffing DT in the midst of their front four.Also, based on what I've heard, while Poe is 350 lbs, he doesn't carry it sloppily like Cody did. That was the issue with Cody, not his size, but rather the way it was carried on him. He was sloppy fat, while Poe and Alameda Ta'amu are seen as "solid" guys who look the part of a football player and not a competitive eater.

_________________I will not put on blinders when it comes to our QBs performances.

February 2nd, 2012, 11:08 am

Wayne Fontes

Color Commentator - John Madden

Joined: January 19th, 2007, 3:21 amPosts: 1919Location: A2

Re: Lions Team Needs

I'm not suggesting that all these guys are Lions targets, just guys who could see their draft stock rise or fall depending on different circumstances. There are certain things about their position/character/skill set/size etc that make their stock more volatile then first rounders. All of these guys could be firmly in the first round and it wouldn't surprise me. All could end up in the bottom of the first or early second and I wouldn't be overly surprised with it either.

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February 2nd, 2012, 12:09 pm

The Legend

Off. Coordinator – Joe Lombardi

Joined: February 11th, 2005, 3:01 pmPosts: 4030Location: WSU

Re: Lions Team Needs

i like konz a lot but im not sure he is the power player that pittsburgh's pouncey is. i dont think he will have quite the same immediate impact and could see him slip a little lower into our range.

February 3rd, 2012, 3:56 pm

wjb21ndtown

Re: Lions Team Needs

The Legend wrote:

i like konz a lot but im not sure he is the power player that pittsburgh's pouncey is. i dont think he will have quite the same immediate impact and could see him slip a little lower into our range.

I think he'll be there when we pick, and I think we'll draft someone else. That's not what I want, but it is what I see happening.

February 3rd, 2012, 9:00 pm

kdsberman

Team MVP

Joined: February 20th, 2007, 10:51 pmPosts: 3422Location: Saginaw, MI

Re: Lions Team Needs

wjb21ndtown wrote:

The Legend wrote:

i like konz a lot but im not sure he is the power player that pittsburgh's pouncey is. i dont think he will have quite the same immediate impact and could see him slip a little lower into our range.

I think he'll be there when we pick, and I think we'll draft someone else. That's not what I want, but it is what I see happening.

when can they start talking to free agents? it cant be the same day that free agency starts is it? we always end up hearing how players get signed at midnight - have those players been talking to teams for some time prior to that or do they have there agents hanging out at the house with them in case someone calls/shows up?

February 6th, 2012, 5:54 pm

thelomasbrowns

Pro Bowl Player

Joined: August 24th, 2010, 9:54 pmPosts: 2482

Re: Lions Team Needs

The Legend wrote:

when can they start talking to free agents? it cant be the same day that free agency starts is it? we always end up hearing how players get signed at midnight - have those players been talking to teams for some time prior to that or do they have there agents hanging out at the house with them in case someone calls/shows up?

It is the day it starts. That's why we have the story of Schwartz camping out at Vanden Bosch's house waiting for free agency to start. He called at 12:01. To do so beforehand would be considered tampering.

_________________Jim Caldwell, on whether Jim Harbaugh is stealing his thunder: "Me? I don't have any thunder."

February 6th, 2012, 10:22 pm

m2karateman

RIP Killer

Joined: October 20th, 2004, 4:16 pmPosts: 10066Location: Where ever I'm at now

Re: Lions Team Needs

The Legend wrote:

when can they start talking to free agents? it cant be the same day that free agency starts is it? we always end up hearing how players get signed at midnight - have those players been talking to teams for some time prior to that or do they have there agents hanging out at the house with them in case someone calls/shows up?

Teams can't contact players until free agency officially starts. Until then they are still under contract with their respective teams. However, if any of the players are released previous to FA starting, then teams can talk to them anytime there after.

_________________I will not put on blinders when it comes to our QBs performances.

February 7th, 2012, 11:12 am

The Legend

Off. Coordinator – Joe Lombardi

Joined: February 11th, 2005, 3:01 pmPosts: 4030Location: WSU

Re: Lions Team Needs

so how do they sign players so quickly? is the agent waiting around for example at kvb's house or do they just agree to terms and then figure out the details of the contract later